Human Development Across the Lifespan: Psychological Perspectives on Physical, Social, and Cognitive Growth

Authors

  • Svitlana Bykova
  • Viktor Koshyrets
  • Oksana Zhuk
  • Mykola Babii
  • Serhii Redko

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.69980/ajpr.v28i1.126

Keywords:

personal success, psychological development, social development, cognitive development, age psychology

Abstract

Background: The article analyses the psychological aspects of human development across different life stages, from childhood to old age. The changes that occur during maturation and ageing are examined at biological, psychological, and social levels. It is important to maintain a clear and logical structure when discussing such complex topics.

Methods: The literature data was studied and analysed using theoretical research methods. The inductive method was employed to systematize the data obtained, and the deductive method was performed to generalize them.

Results: During ontogenesis, individuals develop not only as organisms but also as personalities and conscious social beings. Therefore, it is necessary to consider their psychological development in various spheres, including physical, cognitive, and social aspects. Physical development is determined by changes in organ sizes, body shape, brain structure, sensory capabilities, and motor skills. Cognitive development encompasses all mental abilities and psychological processes, including the specific organization of thinking. Social development is characterized by a combination of personality traits and social skills. It is important to note that this development occurs simultaneously and interdependently in all three spheres.

Conclusion: In the psychological development of individuals, various stages are distinguished. The sequence of these stages is predictable and irreversible. Although individual variations in the course of these periods are possible, they are characterized by certain regularities and psychological peculiarities. Knowledge of these regularities and peculiarities can contribute to the harmonious development of individuals and ensure their psychological well-being throughout life.

Author Biographies

Svitlana Bykova

Candidate of Psychological Sciences (PhD of Psychological Sciences), Associate Professor, Department of Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology and Law, Odesa State Academy of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Odesa, Ukraine

Viktor Koshyrets

PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Practical Psychology and Psychodiagnostics, Faculty of Psychology, Lesya Ukrainka Volyn National University, Lutsk, Ukraine

Oksana Zhuk

PhD of History, Associate professor, Head of the Department of Socio-Humanitarian Technologies, Faculty of Digital, Educational and Social Technologies, Lutsk National Technical University, Lutsk, Ukraine

Mykola Babii

PhD in Psychology, Associate Professor, Department of Social and Humanitarian Technologies, Faculty of Digital, Educational and Social Technologies, Lutsk National Technical University, Lutsk, Ukraine

Serhii Redko

PhD in Psychology, Associate Professor of the Department of Educational Studies and Psychological and Pedagogical Sciences, Borys Grinchenko Kyiv Metropolitan University, Kyiv, Ukraine

References

1. Ageing and health. 2022; WHO – World Health Organization, October 1. Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/ageing-and-health

2. Aksyonova OP, Anishchuk AM, Artemova LV, Gavrish NV, Goncharenko AM, Dronova OO, Yalovska OO. I am in the World. Child development program from birth to six years. (O. L. Kononko, Ed.). Kyiv: MCFER-Ukraine LLC; 2019.

3. Alexus. Age categories of people by year in Ukraine and the world. Table of the WHO 2023 group. Alexus. 2022, February 5. Available from: https://alexus.com.ua/vikovi-kategori%D1%97-lyudej-za-rokami-u-rosi%D1%97-ta-sviti-tablicya-grupi-z-vooz-2021/

4. Barchiy MS, Voronova OYu. Age-related psychology with practicum: methodological recommendations for conducting practical classes and organizing independent work on the discipline for full-time and part-time students of the specialty 053 Psychology OS “Bachelor”. Mukachevo: Mukachevo State University; 2019.

5. Carroll P, Traylo J. Childhood: Physical and Cognitive Development. In: Introduction to Psychology: Course. Lumen Learning. Simple Book Production; 2019. Available from: https://courses.lumenlearning.com/waymaker-psychology/chapter/reading-childhood/

6. Developmental psychology. CliffsNote: Explore, Study, Review. The original (and the most widely imitated) study guide; 2015. Available from: https://www.cliffsnotes.com/study-guides/psychology/development-psychology

7. Dyussenbayev A. Age Periods of Human Life. Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal. 2017; 4(6):258–263. https://doi.org/10.14738/assrj.46.2924

8. Havelko HS. Age periodization of personality development. Lecture, Lviv: Lviv State University of Physical Education; 2019.

9. Havryshchak LI. Psychological aspects of age-related personality development. Texts of lectures for students majoring in “Psychology” and “Practical Psychology”. Drohobych: Drohobych Ivan Franko State Pedagogical University; 2010.

10. Kovalenko O, Lukyanova L, Pomytkin E, Moskovets L. Psychology of elderly people. Education manual (Institute of Pedagogical Education and Adult Education named after Ivan Zyazyun National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine). Kyiv: “Geoprint” LLC; 2021.

11. Marchenko VV, Boychenko SG. Theory and practice of modern science. In: Psychological characteristics of elderly people during the period of experienced old age (pp. 86–88). Chernivtsi; 2017.

12. Mental development of children of primary school age. In: Vydra OG, Age and pedagogical psychology; 2011. Available from: http://surl.li/ssqmvf

13. Mikhalchenko NV. Age psychology. Educational and methodological manual. Mykolaiv: Mykolaiv National University named after V. O. Sukhomlynskyi; 2017.

14. Mudrak IA. Psychology (Age, pedagogical and social psychology): methodological recommendations for practical classes. Lutsk: Lesya Ukrainka Volyn National University; 2023.

15. Peculiarities of mental development in early childhood. In: Vydra OG, Age and pedagogical psychology. 2011, Available from: http://surl.li/cjigsn

16. Peculiarities of the mental development of a newborn child. In: Vydra OG, Age and pedagogical psychology. 2011. Available from: http://surl.li/fspzgk

17. Psychological characteristics of preschool age. In: Vydra OG, Age and pedagogical psychology. 2011. Available from: http://surl.li/keayqx

18. Psychological features of adolescent age. FEL – Financial and economic lyceum of scientific direction at the University of Customs and Finance. 2016. Available from: http://fel2005.dp.ua/docs/doc_080.pdf

19. Psychology of adolescence. In: Vydra OG, Age and pedagogical psychology. 2011. Available from: http://surl.li/ufjrdm

20. Psychology of preschool childhood. In: Vydra OG, Age and pedagogical psychology. 2011. Available from: http://surl.li/qzwwhz

21. Social Development in Preschoolers. healthychildren.org – American Academy of Pediatrics. 2021. Available from: http://surl.li/cotdlf

22. Sydorenko N, Denysenko V, Grytsenko I, Borysenko N, Terletska L. Methodological foundations for the formation of professional qualities in primary school teachers. Revista Eduweb. 2023; 17(2):116–125. https://doi.org/10.46502/issn.1856-7576/2023.17.02.10

23. Tokareva NM, Shamne AV. Basics of age psychology: educational and methodological manual. Kryvyi Rih; 2013.

24. Tokareva NM, Shamne AV. Age and pedagogical psychology: a textbook [for students of higher educational institutions]. Kyiv; 2017.

25. Tovt VA, Jugan LM. Age characteristics of different periods of an adult's life. In: Physical education of the adult population: a study guide. Uzhhorod: "RiK-U" LLC; 2020. Available from: https://www.uzhnu.edu.ua/uk/infocentre/get/24473

26. Ushakova IM. Age psychology: a course of lectures. Kharkiv: National University of Civil Defense of Ukraine; 2015.

27. Vinokur BO. Characteristics of living directions in elderly people depending on the level of psychological well-being. Kyiv: National University “Kyiv-Mohylian Academy”; 2020.

Downloads

Published

2025-04-11